PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED by VIJAY GOEL, UNION MINISTER for YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
A news report regarding alleged misuse of official position by a few office bearers of Badminton Association of India and Delhi Capital Badminton Association to send their own relatives under a Youth-Sports Exchange Programme funded by Government of Japan in 2014 has come to our notice. Since this related to a cultural exchange programme, not involving selection of the national team, Ministry of Sports was not involved in any manner in vetting the selection of the contingent or clearing the team for participating in the event.
Mr. Goel said, the Ministry has brought out comprehensive guidelines for selection of the national team, which includes notification of the selection criteria by the NSFs well in advance. While considering each proposal for participation of the national team in any international event, the composition of the national team and the selection criteria is carefully reviewed by Sports Authority of India. Government is introducing a modified system of Government Observer with an enlarged role, which will include close monitoring of talent identification process and selection of the national team. Under this expanded role, the Government will appoint the most reputed sportspersons who have retired from active sports, to function as National Observer for identified high priority and priority sports.
